The preschoolers, from west and northwest Broward County, have been learning about the environment for several weeks, said school aide Kim Thibodeau.

Save us -- Recycle paper, declared one neatly lettered sign. Another sign with a smiling Earth drawn on it read, A clean Earth is a happy Earth.

Political causes aren't just for grown-ups anymore. Children who cannot even read or write are inheriting their parents' activism, but with a kiddie twist.

Julie King is one of those parents. At home, her family recycles everything they can. At Harvard's parade, while her son, Brandon, tried to keep his newspaper hat from falling off, her husband was bearing down on the procession with an elaborate camcorder.

She doesn't think the children are being forced into supporting their parents' agenda.

"I mean, they're 5 years old. They have to be taught a little bit," King says. "This (parade) instills it upon them."

"These children are really the best," said Donna Steinberg, director of the preschool. "When you explain things to them, they really are concerned."

"Do you know why we recycle?" asked Kelly, a student at Harvard. "So we can save the Earth."

Kenneth, another pupil, told how his preschool does its part: "We use things and we use it again."

Dr. Paul Meli, a Fort Lauderdale developmental psychologist, warns against parents who might force a child to an adult level.

"If adults are really concerned with children, they should become involved in children's issues rather than children becoming involved in adult issues."

Meli said parents can teach children an appreciation for grown-up issues by teaching basic concepts.

For example, environmentally conscious parents should not confuse the very young with talk of ecology and recycling, but boil ideas down to concepts such as 'the Earth is dirty' or how to put glass products in special containers.

"They're only going to understand things that are very concrete," Meli said.